catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Pace \Pace\, n. [OE. pas, F. pas, from L. passus a step, pace,
     orig., a stretching out of the feet in walking; cf. pandere,
     passum, to spread, stretch; perh. akin to E. patent. Cf.
     Pas, Pass.]
     1. A single movement from one foot to the other in walking; a
        step.
  
     2. The length of a step in walking or marching, reckoned from
        the heel of one foot to the heel of the other; -- used as
        a unit in measuring distances; as, he advanced fifty
        paces. ``The heigh of sixty pace .'' --Chaucer.
  
     Note: Ordinarily the pace is estimated at two and one half
           linear feet; but in measuring distances be stepping,
           the pace is extended to three feet (one yard) or to
           three and three tenths feet (one fifth of a rod). The
           regulation marching pace in the English and United
           States armies is thirty inches for quick time, and
           thirty-six inches for double time. The Roman pace
           (passus) was from the heel of one foot to the heel of
           the same foot when it next touched the ground, five
           Roman feet.
  
     3. Manner of stepping or moving; gait; walk; as, the walk,
        trot, canter, gallop, and amble are paces of the horse; a
        swaggering pace; a quick pace. --Chaucer.
  
              To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, Creeps in
              this petty pace from day to day.      --Shak.
  
              In the military schools of riding a variety of paces
              are taught.                           --Walsh.
  
     4. A slow gait; a footpace. [Obs.] --Chucer.
  
     5. Specifically, a kind of fast amble; a rack.
  
     6. Any single movement, step, or procedure. [R.]
  
              The first pace necessary for his majesty to make is
              to fall into confidence with Spain.   --Sir W.
                                                    Temple.
  
     7. (Arch.) A broad step or platform; any part of a floor
        slightly raised above the rest, as around an altar, or at
        the upper end of a hall.
  
     8. (Weaving) A device in a loom, to maintain tension on the
        warp in pacing the web.
  
     Geometrical pace, the space from heel to heel between the
        spot where one foot is set down and that where the same
        foot is again set down, loosely estimated at five feet, or
        by some at four feet and two fifths. See Roman pace in
        the Note under def. 2. [Obs.]
  
     To keep, or hold, pace with, to keep up with; to go as
        fast as. ``In intellect and attainments he kept pace with
        his age.'' --Southey.